Solving Business Wi-Fi Problems

WiFi problems can be hard to pin down, especially when you don't know all the factors that can affect WiFi performance. This article aims to explain the most important factors to help you fix your WiFi issues.

Common WiFi Issues Addressed Here

• Slow Speed on Certain Devices Only

• Slow Speed During Certain Hours

• Slow Speed All the Time

• Dead Zones

Network Basics

This diagram outlines the general outline of a typical network.

Simplified Typical Network

WiFi Basics

WiFi is essentially the wireless version of ethernet. Just as your network can have multiple ethernet ports, your network can also have multiple Wireless Access Points.

WiFi Coverage

In order for you to have good WiFi performance at your facility, your Wireless Access Points must be placed strategically. If you only have one Access Point, you should keep in mind that the signal be strongest the closer you are to the Access Point, and will be weaker the further out you go.

WiFi Coverage Shadows

This typically does not affect real world performance very often. But it is good to keep in mind, that WiFi signals will not pass through very dense materials such as concrete pillars, or walk-in refrigerators. So if your Access Points are near dense materials, relocating them could improve coverage.

What is WiFi 2G vs 5G?

The difference between these two is the radio frequency that data is transmitted over, that is all. With 2G, data is transmitted to/from your device at 2.4 GigaHertz, with 5G, data is transmitted at 5 GigaHertz.

The reason these two exist separately is because each one has it's unique strengths. 5G allows for faster speeds but has a shorter effective range. While 2G offer greater range, but slower top speed. For this reason, many smart-home devices require connection the 2G wireless networks.

Diagnosing and Solving Common WiFi Issues

Slow Speed on Certain Devices Only

You are not imagining things. Different devices will experience different WiFi connection speed / reliability even if they are the same distance from the Wireless Access Point.

This is because every device is different, has different antennas, different WiFi radios, and different programing. Additionally, older devices will have been built with slower WiFi capabilities in general.

Solution

First consider if your device is more than a 5 years old, if so, usually there's not much that can be done to increase it's speed.

Second consider if your devices experiencing slow speed are on 2G connections. If so change them to 5G (if you are ok with the reduced range penalty).

Finally, the only other way to improve performance on your devices with poor speed/signal is to increase your wireless coverage by adding a Wireless Access Point.

Slow Speed During Certain Hours

This is almost certainly caused by traffic from other WiFi networks interfering with your network. This happens because some routers do not automatically optimize their radio frequencies (known as channels).

Solution

Manually change the channels in your WiFi settings. These channels can be changed by logging on to your router's settings page or by using your router's app if your router was setup using the manufacturer's app. Ideally you would use a spectrum analysis tool determine which channels are not being utilized by networks around you. An even better solution of course would be to get a router that automatically optimizes your channels on a daily or weekly basis.

Slow Speed All the Time

Slow WiFi speed all the time across all devices is most likely caused by either 1) a problem with your Internet Service, or 2) an old router that is either failing or just very old and does not support the latest WiFi standards.

Solution

Call your Internet Service Provider, they are usually able to perform troubleshooting from their end to determine if the problem is on their end. If they determine the problem is not on their end and your router is more than 4-5 years old, we recommend getting a new router.

Dead Zones

If you have some areas that experience slow WiFi speeds, across any device then you have a WiFi coverage issue.

Solution

The only solutions are to re-locate your router, or add an additional wireless Access Point to your network.

Conclusion

We hope this article helps you to understand and resolve your WiFi issues. If you are experiencing an issue not covered by this article, or you have tried these solutions an they are not working, please leave us a comment below, and we will provide additional tips and tricks to get your problems resolved.